Welcome to the 2017/2018 MYSL season at Hyland Park in Bloomington!

NOTE: Registration for Hyland is now closed. Hyland filled in record time this year! Please look at any of the other MYSL clubs in the metro area for skiing fun and instruction.

The Hyland Park Youth Ski Club is run by enthusiastic volunteers (like you), dedicated to sharing the joy of cross country skiing with kids aged 4 to 14.

Weather: If the temperature falls below 0˚F or the wind-chill falls below -10˚F, class may be cancelled. A notice will be sent via e-mail as early in the week as possible if the normal meeting time or place need to be changed.

Schedule and Meeting Place: Our meeting dates for the 2017/2018 season are: - December 17 and 31 (cancelled for cold temp w windchill)

- January 7, 14, 21, 28

- February 4, 11 We have reserved February 18th as a make up meeting in case of any cancellations due cold or inclement weather earlier in the season.

Our regular meeting place and time is from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Jan's Place, Edgewood Area of Hyland Lake Park Preserve (see map links below). Please arrive 20 to 25 minutes early to allow time to get signed in, suited up, and find your group. Jan's Place is located off of the North Parking Lot. Bathroom facilities are outhouses and/or porta-potties, so consider this in your preparations.

We will be offering adult lessons in cooperation with Endurance United! Sessions are designed for new skiers. Join the experienced EU staff for five sessions to quickly improve your skiing. At the end of the 5 sessions, we invite you to ski along with your kids in their group and support the lead coaches. Each session will have a coach dedicated to skate skiing and classic skiing. These sessions take place at the same place and time the kids are skiing (what could be more convenience than that?). Register through Endurance United.

Clothing: Dress your child appropriately for the day's weather. Start with good ski socks. You may want to have two pairs per child if you lose them like my family does. Younger children should wear snow suits. Older children should wear layers: polypropylene underwear, insulating fleece layer, and a non-absorbent outer layer to cut the wind and keep out the snow. Warm hats and mittens are mandatory.

Water: Kids in levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 should have and carry a water bottle. Parents should carry bottles for the younger kids. Fill it with GatorAid, PowerAid or KoolAid. These kids go pretty hard and get dehydrated quickly. They will drink sweet tasting liquid more easily in the cold. The snow may look clean but.....

Equipment: All skiers need to provide their own equipment. The equipment must be in good working order and fit your child. Consider buying a ski bag for your kid's skis and poles. A snowboard bag works great and can hold up to 4 pairs of skis and poles. Label everything you own with your name and cell phone number. You may get a call before you even get home!

Rental equipment is available through Hyland Park at the main chalet when the trails are open.

Volunteers: The MYSL is run by volunteers. This is the main reason for the success and affordability of the program. We expect that at least one adult per family volunteer for one of the many opportunities to help. We need people to bring snacks and drinks, help with registration and bibs, help man the fort while we are out skiing, clean up, provide record keeping and photography. Most importantly, we depend on volunteers like you to coach our young skiers.

Coaching: Coaching is one of the more enjoyable volunteer opportunities. The MYSL program makes it easy for a coach to know what to do. An eight week curriculum has been prepared for every class level and each day's lesson is printed on a card that can be carried in your pocket. The pocket guide also provides many helpful tips and games to keep classes enjoyable and interesting. You do not have to be an elite level skier to be a coach. All you need is a desire to help kids and have fun.

Other Fees: A Three Rivers Park District Cross-Country Ski Pass is required for skiers ages 12 and older. Minnesota Ski Passes are no longer required in Three Rivers Park District Parks. Passes are available in the main chalet.